A Beaminster man says he is concerned about the possible rise in antisemitism in the UK following the Hamas attacks in Israel.

Robin Amswych, who is Jewish, said he and his wife have several family members living in Israel and they are concerned for their wellbeing.

It comes as the world reels from the shock incursion by the Palestinian militant group, which has provoked a major retaliation from Benjamin Netanyahu's administration.

The conflict has already claimed at least 2,200 lives, with fears it could escalate further.

Mr Amswych says he is "horrified" by reports of the atrocities carried out by Hamas and the loss of life that is "already resulting from Israel's inevitable reaction".

The growing conflict is only going to make the problem worse in his eyes stating that ‘attitudes are beginning to inflame’ but he is keen to ‘bring people’s attention to it’.

He said with feelings running high, he is equally concerned about the rise in antisemitism in the UK.

Mr Amswych said: "Much of this seems to stem from a hostility to Israel.

"It is clearly totally legitimate to criticise the policies and actions of the Israeli government, but to challenge Israel's right to exist as a nation state and to regard Zionism as evil leads to, and is in itself, antisemitism - a denial that Jews have the same rights as other groups."

He said since Cromwell readmitted the Jews to England in 1656, the Jewish community has become, as one observer put it "a model for how you retain distinctive traditions, worship and language while pledging yourself wholeheartedly to British values".

Mr Amswych said: "I am proud of the service that my grandfather and father gave to our country during both World Wars.

"I urge all who read this to challenge antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head and to make it clear that it is totally alien to British values."

He added: “In this part of the world (Dorset), I haven’t experienced it but others I know have experienced it.

“My family in other parts of the parts of the UK have been singled out – I’m concerned it should not be happening in this part of the world (UK).”

As things stand, Mr Amswych believes that all his family members in Israel are still safe, saying ‘we haven’t heard that they are not alright.’

However, thousands of rockets were fired upon southern and central Israel, causing Mr Amswych to be concerned for the wellbeing of his wife’s first cousin’s living near to Tel-Aviv.

He said: “My wife’s cousin is taking shelter in their safe room in their home in a town just outside of Tel-Aviv.”